Nautical Information
Location60° 09’ N 001° 08’ WAnchorage Position60° 09.34’ N 001° 07.66’ W (Inner), 60° 08.28’ N 001° 08.28’ W (Outer)
No. of Berths3Distance to Landing Stage0.4 NM (Inner), 1.3 NM (Outer)
Berth detailsMair's Pier East, Max L.O.A. 275m. Depth: 7.1m – 9.1m
Holmsgarth No.5, Max L.O.A. 205m. Depth: 9.2m
Victoria Pier (East), Max L.O.A. 145m. Depth: 6.8m – 9.2m
Victoria Pier (West), Max L.O.A. 90m. Depth: 6.0m – 8.4m
Tidal range/movement1.7m
Airdraughtn/aTown centre1km
Shuttle to townYes - complimentary service provided from Mair's Pier East and Holmsgarth berths.AnchorageYes
Nearest airportSumburgh

Overview

Lerwick, Britain’s most northerly cruise destination, with its own intrinsic beauty and deep water sheltered harbour is located midway between Faroe, Norway and mainland Scotland.

Lerwick has been welcoming cruise ships since the late 19th century. The St Sunniva was among the first to call on a cruise from the Norwegian fjords. Arthur Anderson, co-founder of P & O and credited with inventing cruising, was born in Lerwick where his house is now a museum.

Cruise ships up to 230m can berth alongside and larger ships are accommodated at anchor with passengers only minutes away via tender to a modern landing stage and dedicated welcome pavilion at the heart of Lerwick's town centre.

A warm and friendly Meet and Greet service provides local flavour with a personal onboard and onshore welcome for passengers and crew members complemented by traditional Shetland music played quayside.

Shetland offers visitors a unique blend of both Scandinavian and Scottish culture, world-class natural scenery, extraordinary archeological sites and encounters with vast seabird colonies, diverse marine life and distinctive native breeds.

The islands are renowned for their Viking heritage and are also home to the world famous Shetland Pony.

Key attractions include Mousa, an island boasting the best-preserved Iron Age broch in Scotland and Jarlshof, one of the most remarkable archaeological sites ever excavated in the British Isles. Shetland Museum, a five-star visitor attraction, provides a fascinating insight into Shetland’s diverse heritage.

Shopping in Lerwick is close by and passengers can easily access a variety of local shops hosting a collection of high quality exclusive gifts including Shetland knitwear, ceramics, jewellery, confectionery and crafts.

Popular excursions

The following is a list of popular excursions that are available.

It should be noted that these details are not definitive but are intended to demonstrate the range of excursions and activities available to cruise passengers visiting Lerwick as part of a cruise. Please note that, in many cases and with prior arrangement, half day tours can be combined to create full day itineraries

Shore excursions are normally pre-booked onboard via the cruise line concerned. Cruise Scotland cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of this information and all details and tour descriptions should be checked with the cruise line concerned.

Half day

JARLSHOF, KNITWEAR AND TAMMIE NORIE VISTA

Meander through Lerwick, dating from the 1600s, en route to the most Southerly tip of the Shetland Mainland. View the world’s best preserved 2,000 year old Iron Age Broch on the Island of Mousa. In Hoswick, visit Laurence Odie Knitwear and the Hoswick Visitor Centre or wander along the peaceful foreshore. Then cross the 60 degrees North to enjoy the rugged Atlantic coast and a vista of St Ninian`s Isle, white sandy beaches, and possibly seals, from the cliff road. Travel through 5,000 years of Shetland history at Jarlshof, an archaeological site, ranging from the New Stone Age up to the 1600s. Then climb up towards Sumburgh Head RSPB Reserve, seabird colony (May – July) and Shetland`s first lighthouse built by Robert Stevenson in 1821.

Half day

SILVER & STONE VISTA

Meander through Lerwick, dating from the 1600s, en route to the Central & West Mainland. In Scalloway, the former Shetland capital visit Scalloway Castle, built in 1600 by the tyrant Earl Patrick Stewart and Scalloway Museum, which houses a special “Shetland Bus” exhibition. Leaving Scalloway, travel through the Tingwall Valleywith its Norse heritage. A visit to Carol's Ponies. Heading Northwards through peat and heather covered landscape and Shetland`s largest plantation of trees arrive at Shetland Jewellery. En route back to Lerwick, photograph one of the spectacular vistas of many of the islands that make up the Shetland archipelago.

Half day

FLORA, FAUNA & BIRD VISTA

Meander through Lerwick, dating from the 1600s, then view the fertile limestone community of Fladdabister and the spectacular vista of wild flower meadows at Aithsetter. In Hoswick visit Laurence Odie Knitwear and the Hoswick Visitor Centre or wander along the peaceful foreshore. Travel South past Clumlie & Dalsetter for coastal vistas. Then climb up towards Sumburgh Head RSPB Reserve, for panoramic cliff vistas, seabird colony (May – July) and Shetland`s first lighthouse built by Robert Stevenson in 1821. Circle the RSPB reserve of Spiggie Lochand onwards, hugging the rugged Atlantic coast before joining the main road once again.

Half day

SCENIC VOLCANIC VISTA

Head northwest through peat and heather covered landscape to Voe, with its Scandinavian influence, Brae, and Mavis Grind, where the North Sea almost meets the Atlantic Ocean. Northwards still, the scenery becoming more spectacular with every mile, viewing some of Shetlands aquaculture industry. Visit the Tangwick Haa Museum and take a cliff-top walk at the Eshaness Lighthouse where fire and ice of volcano and glacier have forged Shetland`s world famous geology. Enjoy the refreshments on offer in the Braewick Café. Hear more of Shetland`s culture and heritage from your qualified local guide, on your return journey to Lerwick.

Half day

MOUSA BROCH VISTA

Meander through Lerwick the only town in Shetland, passing the fertile limestone community of Fladdabister. Arriving at Sandwick, you will then board the purpose built, passenger ferry Solan IV. Cross to the Island of Mousa inhabited only by sheep and wildlife. There you will visit the world’s best preserved 2,000 year old Iron Age Broch, still standing to a height of 13m (43`). A brisk walk across the island, through a plethora of wild flowers will take you to a seal colony. Hear more of Shetland`s culture and heritage from your qualified local guide, on your return journey to Lerwick.

2 hours

SOUTH LERWICK WALKING VISTA

We leave from Victoria Pier in the heart of Lerwick. A leisurely stroll takes in the award winning, recently restored Tolbooth, our unique Lodberries once used by the town merchants for the landing & storage of goods. Then on past various churches to the steep, narrow, intricate web of lanes to our Town Hall, where, on the first floor, you will find our history depicted in pictorial narrative through stained glass windows. Pass our theatre before entering Fort Charlotte, named after Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, which provides panoramic vistas across the harbour to the island of Bressay.

Contact details

  • Melanie Henderson
  • Lerwick Port Authority
    Albert Building
    Lerwick
    Shetland
    ZE1 0LL

Contact Port

Lerwick

Opening times Port Control 24-hrs daily. Contact person Melanie Henderson Address Lerwick Port Authority
Albert Building
Lerwick
Shetland
ZE1 0LL